Absolute and differential measurement of water vapor supersaturation using a commercial thin-film sensor

We describe a technique for measuring the water vapor supersaturation of normal air over a temperature range of –40<~T<~0 °C. The measurements use an inexpensive commercial hygrometer which is based on a thin-film capacitive sensor. The time required for the sensor to reach equilibrium was found to increase exponentially with decreasing sensor temperature, exceeding 2 min for T = –30 °C; however, the water vapor sensitivity of the device remained high down to this temperature. After calibrating our measurement procedure, we found residual scatter in the data corresponding to an uncertainty in the absolute water vapor pressure of about ±15%. This scatter was due mainly to long-term drift, which appeared to be intrinsic to the capacitive thin-film sensor. The origin of this drift is not clear, but it effectively limits the applicability of this instrument for absolute measurements. We also found, however, that the high sensitivity of the thin-film sensor makes it rather well suited for differential measurements. By comparing supersaturated and saturated air at the same temperature we obtained a relative measurement uncertainty of about ±1.5%, an order of magnitude better than the absolute measurements

Lipid profiles and outcomes of patients with prior cancer and subsequent myocardial infarction or stroke

Patients with cancer are at increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. Guidelines do not address lipid profile targets for these patients. Within the lipid profiles, we hypothesized that patients with cancer develop MI or stroke at lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations than patients without cancer and suffer worse outcomes. We linked nationwide longitudinal MI, stroke and cancer registries from years 2007-2017. We identified 42,148 eligible patients with MI (2421 prior cancer; 39,727 no cancer) and 43,888 eligible patients with stroke (3152 prior cancer; 40,738 no cancer). Median LDL-C concentration was lower in the prior cancer group than the no cancer group at incident MI [2.43 versus 3.10 mmol/L, adjusted ratio 0.87 (95% CI 0.85-0.89)] and stroke [2.81 versus 3.22 mmol/L, adjusted ratio 0.93, 95% CI 0.91-0.95)]. Similarly, median triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were lower in the prior cancer group, with no difference in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Prior cancer was associated with higher post-MI mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.48, 95% CI 1.37-1.59] and post-stroke mortality (adjusted HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.52-2.52). Despite lower LDL-C concentrations, patients with prior cancer had worse post-MI and stroke mortality than patients without cancer

Generalized Weyl solutions in d=5 Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory: the static black ring

We argue that the Weyl coordinates and the rod-structure employed to construct static axisymmetric solutions in higher dimensional Einstein gravity can be generalized to the Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory. As a concrete application of the general formalism, we present numerical evidence for the existence of static black ring solutions in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory in five spacetime dimensions. They approach asymptotically the Minkowski background and are supported against collapse by a conical singularity in the form of a disk. An interesting feature of these solutions is that the Gauss-Bonnet term reduces the conical excess of the static black rings. Analogous to the Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet black strings, for a given mass the static black rings exist up to a maximal value of the Gauss-Bonnet coupling constant $\alpha'$. Moreover, in the limit of large ring radius, the suitably rescaled black ring maximal value of $\alpha'$ and the black string maximal value of $\alpha'$ agree.Comment: 43 pages, 14 figure

Molecular diagnosis of scabies using a novel probe-based polymerase chain reaction assay targeting high-copy number repetitive sequences in the Sarcoptes scabiei genome

Background The suboptimal sensitivity and specificity of available diagnostic methods for scabies hampers clinical management, trials of new therapies and epidemiologic studies. Additionally, parasitologic diagnosis by microscopic examination of skin scrapings requires sample collection with a sharp scalpel blade, causing discomfort to patients and difficulty in children. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assays, combined with non-invasive sampling methods, represent an attractive approach. In this study, we aimed to develop a real-time probe-based PCR test for scabies, test a non-invasive sampling method and evaluate its diagnostic performance in two clinical settings. Methodology/Principal findings High copy-number repetitive DNA elements were identified in draft Sarcoptes scabiei genome sequences and used as assay targets for diagnostic PCR. Two suitable repetitive DNA sequences, a 375 base pair microsatellite (SSR5) and a 606 base pair long tandem repeat (SSR6), were identified. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were tested using relevant positive and negative control materials and compared to a published assay targeting the mitochondrial cox1 gene. Both assays were positive at a 1:100 dilution of DNA from a single mite; no amplification was observed in DNA from samples from 19 patients with other skin conditions nor from house dust, sheep or dog mites, head and body lice or from six common skin bacterial and fungal species. Moderate sensitivity of the assays was achieved in a pilot study, detecting 5/7 (71.4% [95% CI: 29.0% - 96.3%]) of clinically diagnosed untreated scabies patients). Greater sensitivity was observed in samples collected by FLOQ swabs compared to skin scrapings. Conclusions/Significance This newly developed qPCR assay, combined with the use of an alternative non-invasive swab sampling technique offers the possibility of enhanced diagnosis of scabies. Further studies will be required to better define the diagnostic performance of these tests

Characterizing bird-keeping user-groups on Java reveals distinct behaviours, profiles and potential for change

Over 70 million cage‐birds are kept across 12 million households on the island of Java, Indonesia, fuelling serious concerns for the health of regional wild bird populations. Understanding the behaviours, preferences and demographic profiles of bird‐keepers will guide attempts to reduce demand for wild birds and hence the impact of trade on wild populations and their host ecosystems. We profile three songbird‐keeping user‐groups based on interviews of nearly one thousand people across Java: hobbyists, who own birds primarily as pets; contestants, who own birds to enter in singing contests; and breeders, who own birds to breed and train for resale or as a pastime. User‐groups diverged in their bird‐keeping habits and preferences. Hobbyists tended to own small numbers of inexpensive and typically native birds, while contestants and breeders owned larger numbers of often valuable birds. Hobbyists were far less likely to consider origin when buying a bird, owned a larger proportion of both potentially wild‐caught and globally threatened birds, but showed no preference for any taxon. By contrast, owning relatively large numbers of lovebirds Agapornis spp. and Zebra Doves Geopelia striata were key characteristics of contestants, while breeders owned the largest number of birds and species, in particular White‐rumped Shamas Kittacincla malabarica. Within a 2‐year period, user‐group membership was fluid, with much transitioning between non‐bird ownership and hobbyists, recruitment of non‐bird owners to contestants and movement both in and out of the breeder group. Our study provides behavioural change efforts with demographic and geographic profiles to target bird‐keepers, who tended to be more affluent and urban and to live in the eastern provinces. Among bird‐keepers, hobbyists tended to be middle‐aged and lived in the western provinces, contestants were younger urban bird‐keepers employed in business and breeders were commoner in the eastern provinces, reflecting the cultural importance of bird‐keeping among the Javanese. Efforts to increase the sustainability of bird‐keeping in Java should focus on emphasizing the importance of captive‐bred birds, in particular to hobbyists, the largest user‐group, whose bird‐keeping behaviour poses the biggest threat to wild bird populations, whilst also incentivizing legitimate breeding enterprises among contestants and breeders

A fatal case of oral intoxication by mustard gas

Opisan je slučaj peroralne intosikacije iperitom u namjeri samoubojstva i iznesen obdukcioni nalaz. Ukratko su izneseni neki toksikološki pogledi na otrovanje iperifom, te klinički simptomi i patomorfološke promjene kod intoksikacije ovim otrovom.A case is presented of a man aged 27 who swallowed 50 g of mustard gas (dichlor-diethylsulphide) in order to commit suicide. Although immediately treated at the Internal Clinic of the Medical Faculty, he died 8 hours and 20 minutes after taking the poison. A postmortem examination carried out 19 hours after death, as well as histological findings showed congestion and oedema of the brain, fragmentation of cardiac muscle, oedema of mucous membranes of the upper part of gastrointestinal tract, oedema of larynx and epiglotis, oedema of the liver, and congestion of the spleen, adrenal glands, and kidneys. A microscopic examination of the lung tissue revealed hemorrhages probably due to the irritative effect of the poison